January 2004 - MidAmerican Energy announced the availability of a green power option for its nearly 600,000 Iowa-based residential and business customers. Under the Renewable Advantage program, customers can make one-time, periodic, or monthly contributions to support the development of new renewable energy resources. Customers can sign up to participate either by using a check-off box on their utility bill or via the utility's Web site. Suggested contribution levels are $2.50 per month for residential customers and $5 per month for business customers.

The funds collected will be used to construct a new, 1.5-MW wind turbine in Iowa that will be in addition to a 310-MW wind project already planned by the utility. One-fifth of the $1.6 million turbine cost will be covered by the voluntary customer contributions with MidAmerican shareholders funding the remaining amount. Future customer contributions could be used to develop additional renewable energy resources, such as solar, biomass, and animal waste methane facilities.